Ambient Factors Influencing Photovoltaic Module Temperature in Klang Valley

Abstract

The study is conducted to evaluate the
significance of solar irradiance, ambient temperature and
relative humidity as predictors and to quantify the relative
contribution of these ambient parameters as predictors for
photovoltaic module temperature model. The module
temperature model was developed from experimental data of
mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline PV modules retrofitted
on metal roof in Klang Valley. The model was developed and
analyzed using Multiple Linear Regressions (MLR) and
Principle Component Analysis (PCA) Techniques. Solar
irradiance, ambient temperature and relative humidity have
been proven to be the significant predictors for module
temperature. For poly-crystalline PV module, the relative
contribution of solar irradiance, ambient temperature and
relative humidity are 64.28 %, 17.45 % and 12.64 %
respectively. For mono-crystalline PV module, the relative
contribution of solar irradiance, ambient temperature and
relative humidity are 66.12 %, 17.46 % and 12.48 %
respectively. Thus, there is no significant difference in terms of
relative contribution of these ambient parameters towards
photovoltaic module temperature between poly-crystalline and
mono-crystalline PV module technologies.